Housing assembly for a vacuum

ABSTRACT

A central vacuum connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure. The central vacuum system includes a housing having a first housing member and a second housing member secured to the first housing member. Together the first housing member and the second housing member at least partially define a collection chamber. A vacuum motor is supported by the housing and is operable to move debris from the interior portion into the collection chamber. An adapter extends into the collection chamber for supporting a bag. At least one of the bag and the adapter are accessible through an opening defined in one of the first housing member and the second housing member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/032,511 entitled “VACUUM SYSTEM AND METHOD” filed on Jan.10, 2005, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum systems and, more particularly,to a central vacuum system for an inhabitable structure.

BACKGROUND

Central vacuum systems are often mounted in inhabitable structures, suchas, for example, homes, commercial buildings, and the like. In manycases, central vacuum systems include a system of ducts, which extendthroughout the structure into various rooms of the structure. Vacuumhoses or nozzles can be connected to the ducts to collect debris.Central vacuum systems generally include a housing supporting a vacuummotor which draws debris through the hoses and the ducts and into acollection chamber.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a central vacuumsystem connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure.In some embodiments, the central vacuum system includes a housing havingan upper end, a lower end, and a side wall defining a collectionchamber, the side wall defining an opening communicating betweenatmosphere and the collection chamber, and a vacuum motor supported inthe housing and being operable to move debris from the interior portioninto the collection chamber.

In addition, some embodiments of the invention provide a vacuum bagassembly for a central vacuum system, the central vacuum systemincluding a housing defining a collection chamber and having a bagmounting assembly extending into the collection chamber. In someembodiments, the vacuum bag assembly can include a flange connectablewith the bag mounting assembly to secure the bag in the collectionchamber, the flange defining an inlet and supporting a cover, the coverbeing moveable relative to the flange between a closed position, inwhich the cover substantially covers the inlet, and an opened position,in which at least a portion of the cover is moved away from the inlet.The cover can be connectable to the bag mounting assembly so that, whenthe flange is disconnected from the bag mounting assembly, the cover ismoved between the opened position and the closed position.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a central vacuum systemincluding a housing having a wall defining a collection chamber, a bagmounting assembly extending into the collection chamber, a bag having aflange connectable with the bag mounting assembly to secure the bag inthe collection chamber, the flange defining an inlet and supporting acover, the cover being moveable relative to the flange between a closedposition, in which the cover substantially covers the inlet, and anopened position, in which at least a portion of the cover is moved awayfrom the inlet, and a vacuum motor supported in the housing and beingoperable to move debris from the interior portion into the bag. Thecover can be connectable to the bag mounting assembly so that when theflange is removed from the bag mounting assembly, the cover is movedbetween the opened position and the closed position.

In addition, some embodiments of the invention provide a method ofoperating a central vacuum system connectable to an interior portion ofan inhabitable structure, the central vacuum system including a housinghaving an upper end, a lower end, and a side wall defining a collectionchamber, the side wall defining an opening communicating betweenatmosphere and the collection chamber. Some embodiments include the actsof providing a vacuum motor supported in the housing, inserting a baginto the collection chamber through the opening in the side wall, anddirecting debris from the interior portion into the bag with the vacuummotor.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating acentral vacuum system connectable to an interior portion of aninhabitable structure, the central vacuum system including a housinghaving a wall defining a collection chamber, a vacuum motor supported inthe housing, and a bag mounting assembly extending into the collectionchamber. In some embodiments, the method can include the acts ofinserting a bag into the collection chamber, the bag having a flangedefining an inlet and supporting a cover, connecting the flange to thebag mounting assembly, moving the cover relative to the flange toward anopened position, in which the cover is moved away from the inlet,connecting the cover to the bag mounting assembly, moving debris fromthe interior portion into the bag with the vacuum motor, disconnectingthe flange from the bag mounting assembly, and removing the bag from thecollection chamber. When the flange is disconnected from the bagmounting assembly, the cover can be moved relative to the flange betweenthe opened position and a closed position, in which the coversubstantially covers the inlet.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a central vacuum systemincluding a housing having a wall defining a collection chamber, avacuum motor supported in the housing and being operable to move debrisfrom the interior portion into the collection chamber, a sensorpositioned in the collection chamber and being operable to recordpressure data in the collection chamber, and a controller supported inthe housing and being in communication with the sensor to receive thepressure data from the sensor, the controller being operable tocalculate a quantity of debris in the collection chamber using thepressure data.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating acentral vacuum system connectable to an interior portion of aninhabitable structure, the central vacuum including a housing having awall defining a collection chamber, a sensor positioned in thecollection chamber, and a controller supported in the housing. In theseembodiments, the method includes the acts of moving debris from theinterior portion into the collection chamber, recording pressure data inthe collection chamber with the sensor, transmitting the pressure datafrom the sensor to the controller, and estimating a quantity of debrisin the collection chamber using the pressure data from the sensor.

Some embodiments of the invention further provide a central vacuumsystem connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure,including a housing having a wall defining a collection chamber and amotor housing, the motor housing having an elliptical cross section, anda vacuum motor supported in the motor housing and being operable to movedebris from the interior portion into the collection chamber.

Some embodiments of the invention further provide a central vacuumconnectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure,including a housing having a first housing member and a second housingmember secured to the first housing member. Together the first housingmember and the second housing member can at least partially defining acollection chamber. The central vacuum can also include a vacuum motorsupported by the housing and operable to move debris from the interiorportion into the collection chamber and an adapter extending into thecollection chamber for supporting a bag. At least one of the bag and theadapter can be accessible through an opening defined in one of the firsthousing member and the second housing member.

The present invention also provides a method of assembling a centralvacuum system connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitablestructure. The method can include the acts of providing a housing havinga first housing member and a second housing member, securing the firsthousing member to the second housing member to at least partiallyenclose a collection chamber, moving debris from the interior portioninto the collection chamber with a vacuum motor supported by thehousing, and positioning a bag in the collection chamber to receive thedebris.

In some embodiments, the present invention further provides a centralvacuum connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure,including a housing at least partially defining a collection chamber, avacuum motor supported by the housing and being operable to move debrisfrom the interior portion into the collection chamber, and an acousticdampening system supported in the housing and positioned along anexhaust flow path extending outwardly from the motor. The acousticdamping system can include a damping member at least partially definingthree side walls of a dampening chamber.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a central vacuumconnectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure,including a housing having a housing member and a cover at leastpartially defining a collection chamber. The housing member canincluding a body and a rib extending inwardly from and around aperimeter of the body of the housing member. The cover can include abody and a rib extending outwardly from and around a perimeter of thebody of the cover. The rib of the housing member can be secured to oneof the body and the rib of the cover and the rib of the cover can besecured to the body of the housing member. The central vacuum can alsoinclude a vacuum motor supported by the housing and operable to movedebris from the interior portion into the collection chamber.

Further aspects of the present invention, together with the organizationand operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numeralsthroughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vacuum system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the vacuum system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another rear perspective view of the vacuum system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1with a portion of the housing removed.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1with a portion of the housing removed.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1with a portion of the housing removed.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 1 with aportion of the housing removed.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the vacuum system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged perspective view of the vacuum bag shown in FIG.15.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of a control panel of the vacuumsystem shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the housing removed.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the vacuum shownin FIG. 1 and illustrating air flow through the vacuum system.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a lower portion ofthe vacuum system shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 19A-19G illustrate a method of removing a bag from a vacuum systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a vacuum system according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a portion of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 20and illustrating travel paths of the airflow generated by the vacuummotors of the vacuum system.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a vacuum system according tostill another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG.22.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a vacuum system according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a first housing member of the vacuumsystem shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second housing member of the vacuumsystem shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a top view of an upper housing portion of the vacuum systemshown in FIG. 24, including the first and second housing members shownin FIGS. 25 and 26.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the upper housing portion shownin FIG. 27 including a motor plate at an upper interface thereof.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the upper housing portion shown inFIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective view of the upper housing portion shownin FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the upper housing portion shown inFIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional detail view of the interface between themotor plate and the second housing member as shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the motor plate shown in FIGS. 28-32.

FIG. 34 is a front view of the motor plate shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a partial rear perspective view of the vacuum system shown inFIG. 24 with a first housing portion, cap, and upper dampening chamberplate removed to illustrate a motor chamber and a sound dampeningchamber.

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG.24 with the cap removed to illustrate the sound dampening chamber.

FIG. 37 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum system shown in FIG. 24with the cap removed to illustrate the sound dampening chamber.

FIG. 38 is a top view of a lower dampening chamber plate and spacershown in FIGS. 35-37.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the cap of the housing shown in FIGS.24.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an alternate first housing member.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an alternate second housing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

FIGS. 1-19G illustrate a portion of a vacuum system 10 and a vacuum bag12 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The vacuumsystem 10 can be installed or used in any inhabitable structure, suchas, for example, a home, a commercial building, and the like.

As partially shown in FIGS. 1-18, 10-15 and 19A-19F, the vacuum system10 can include a duct system 14, which extends throughout the structureinto various rooms of the structure. Vacuum inlets can be located invarious locations throughout the structure and can be in fluidcommunication with the duct system 14 so that a vacuum hose or nozzlecan be connected to the duct system 14. As explained in greater detailbelow, to operate the vacuum system 10, an operator inserts a hose ornozzle into one of the inlets or actuates a switch adjacent to an inlet.The vacuum system 10 then draws air and debris through the hose, nozzle,or inlet and through the duct system 14 toward a collection area.

The vacuum system 10 can have a housing 18 having any shape desired,such as a round shape, a rectangular, triangular, or other polygonalshape, an irregular shape, and the like. By way of example only, thehousing 18 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally elongatedconfiguration and has an elliptical cross sectional shape. In addition,in some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-19G,the housing 18 can have a relatively small profile so that the housing18 can be installed or located in relatively confined areas.

As shown in FIGS. 1-19G, the housing 18 comprises a first module orhousing portion 20, a second module or housing portion 22, and a thirdmodule or housing portion 24. Together, the first and second modules 20,22 at least partially define a drive space or motor chamber 26, andtogether, the second and third housing portions 22, 24 substantiallyenclose a collection chamber 28. As shown in FIGS. 15, 17, 19B-19E, insome embodiments, the housing 18 can include ribs 30 or other structuralsupports extending through one or more of the first, second, and thirdmodules 20, 22, 24.

The housing 18 of the central vacuum system 10 can be installed in anumber of locations throughout the structure, such as, for example, inthe garage, basement, or utility room of a home or a business, oralternatively, the housing 18 can be installed in a closet. To simplifyinstallation and to provide a maximum number of possible installationoptions, the illustrated embodiment includes a number of inlet openings32, each of which can be connected to the duct system 14 to fluidlyconnect the housing 18 (and the vacuum motor 48, which is described ingreater detail below) to the duct system 14. In the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 2, 4-8, 11-14, 17, and 19A, inlets 32 are located onthe left and right sides of the housing 18. In other embodiments, inlets32 can extend through other portions of the housing 18 and can haveother orientations to provide further installation options.

During installation, the housing 18 is secured to the structure and thehousing 18 is oriented so that one of the inlets 32 can be connected tothe duct system 14. A connector 34 is then inserted into the inlet 32 tofluidly connect the housing 18 to the duct system 14 (and the vacuummotor 48, which is described in greater detail below). In someembodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15, anelastomeric material (e.g., santaprene, neoprene, and polymers of butyland supronyl, and the like) is positioned between an outer wall of aninlet 32 and the connector 34 to provide a seal and to prevent and/orreduce movement of air and debris between the inlet 32 and the connector34. In these embodiments, the connector 34 and the elastomeric materialcan be sealingly connected to the duct system 14 without requiringadditional clamps, clamping tools, and other conventional sealingdevices and elements, although such sealing devices and elements canalso be used. In addition, the connector 34 and the elastomeric materialof the illustrated embodiment can be manufactured relatively easily andinexpensively and do not require complex tooling and assembly.

An elastomeric material can also or alternately be positioned betweenthe connector 34 and a portion of the duct system 14 to sealinglyconnect the connector 34 and the duct system 14. Covers 35 are thenplaced over the other inlets 32 to seal these inlets 32.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the first module 20 includes a cap 36, amotor cage 38, and a baffle 40 positioned between the cap 36 and themotor cage 38. An upper wall 54 of the second module 22 and the motorcage 38 of the first module 20 substantially enclose the vacuum motor 48and define a drive space 26 having a substantially elliptical crosssectional shape.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 and 17, the vacuum motor 48 ispositioned on a left side of drive space 26. In other embodiments, thevacuum motor 48 can have other orientations within the drive space 26.For example, the vacuum motor 48 can be positioned in a central locationin the drive space 26 or the vacuum motor 48 can be positioned on aright side of the drive space 26.

In still other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.20 and 21, two or more vacuum motors 48 can be positioned in the drivespace 26. In some embodiments having two vacuum motors 48 and having adrive space 26 with an elliptical cross-sectional shape, the vacuummotors 48 can be supported on the upper wall 54 of the second module 22and can be spaced apart so that airflow generated by one motor 48 doesnot interfere with airflow generated by the other motor 48.Additionally, in these embodiments, the airflow generated by the motors48 follows two generally circular travel paths (represented by arrows 56a, 56 b in FIG. 21). As shown in FIG. 21, the travel paths 56 a, 56 bextend through substantially the entire drive space 26, therebypreventing the formation of dead spaces wherein the vacuum motors 48 donot generate airflow. Such a construction can improve the efficiency ofone or both of the vacuum motors 48 and can reduce noise generation.Some embodiments space two or more vacuum motors 48 close enough thatairflow generated by one vacuum motor 48 interferes with the airflowgenerated by the other motor 48. This interference creates a lower airvelocity region that drops debris entrained in the airflow.

In some embodiments, elements of the vacuum system 12, such as, forexample, the cap 36, the motor cage 38, the baffle 40, and/or the secondmodule 22, can be constructed so that common elements can be used inconstructions of the vacuum system 12 having one or more vacuum motors48 located in any number of locations in the drive space 26. In theseembodiments, no or relatively minor modifications are made to assemblevarious vacuum systems 12 having a number of different configurations.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 15 and17, a network (e.g., a wired network, a wireless network, and the like)extends throughout the structure. In these embodiments, the housing 18can support an electrical adapter 57, which is electrically connectableto the network for communication with control switches positionedthroughout the structure. For example, in some embodiments, controlswitches can be positioned in inlets so that when an operator opens aninlet to connect a hose or nozzle to the duct system, the control switchis triggered, thereby transmitting an activation system through thenetwork to the vacuum motor 48. In other embodiments, control switchescan be located on wall switches or in other locations throughout thestructure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, 8-9, 15, 17, and 19A-19F, cooling vents 58can extend through the housing 18 to cool the vacuum motor 48. In theillustrated embodiment, the cooling vents 58 extend through the motorcage 38 and the cap 36 and communicate between atmosphere and the drivespace 26. In operation, air is drawn into the drive space 26 through thecooling vents 58 as represented by arrows 60 in FIG. 17. The air is thendrawn through the drive space 26 between an upper surface of the motorcage 38 and a lower surface of the baffle 40 before being drawndownwardly through an opening 62 in the upper surface of the motor cage38 and into the vacuum motor 48.

In some embodiments, acoustic dampening material (e.g., elastomericmaterials, such as, for example, polyester, polyurethane, melamine, andthe like) 64 can be positioned in the drive space 26 to absorb noisegenerated by air flowing through the drive space 26. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 15, acoustic dampening material 64 is secured to theundersides of the baffle 40 and the cap 36. In other embodiments,acoustic dampening material 64 can be positioned in other locations inthe drive space 26 to absorb noise generated by air flowing through thedrive space 26.

The vacuum system 10 can also include an exhaust system 66, whichprovides an exit for air exhausted from the vacuum motor 48. As shown inFIG. 17, exhaust air (represented by arrows 67) exits the vacuum motor48 and is directed upwardly and outwardly through the exhaust system 66toward the atmosphere. The vacuum system 10 can also include an acousticdampening system 68 positioned along the exhaust system 66 for absorbingnoise generated by exhaust air exiting the housing 18 through theexhaust system 66.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 17, the exhaust system 66and the acoustic dampening system 68 include a conduit 70 and a muffler69, which direct exhaust air 67 upwardly and outwardly from the vacuummotor 48 and dampen noise generated by the exhaust air 67. As shown inFIG. 17, the muffler 69 extends through openings in the cap 36 and thebaffle 40.

The exhaust system 66 and the acoustic dampening system 68 of theillustrated embodiment also include an elbow 71 connected to adownstream end of the muffler 69 and a dampening chamber 72 definedbetween a first dampening wall 73 and a second dampening wall 74. Asshown in FIG. 17, the elbow 71 directs the exhaust air 67 laterally intothe dampening chamber 72, which provides a substantially U-shaped pathfor exhaust air 67. In other embodiments, the first and second dampeningwalls 73, 74 can have other shapes and orientations to provide othernon-linear paths (e.g., semicircular, L-shaped, and the like) for theexhaust air 67. In addition, in some embodiments, such as theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 17, portions of the dampening chamber 72,including the first and second dampening walls 73, 74 and the undersideof the cap 36, can also include or be covered with acoustic dampeningmaterial (e.g., elastomeric materials, such as, for example, polyester,polyurethane, melamine, and the like) to absorb noise generated by theexhaust air 67. From the dampening chamber 72, the exhaust system 66 andthe acoustic dampening system 68 of the illustrated embodiment directthe exhaust air 67 outwardly through an opening 76 in the cap 36 towardthe atmosphere.

As mentioned above, portions of the second and third modules 22, 24substantially enclose the collection chamber 28. The second module 22defines an upper portion of the collection chamber 28 and includes anupper wall 54 and a side wall 80 having a downwardly extending ridge 82.An opening 84 extends through the side wall 80 and provides access tothe collection chamber 28 and, in embodiments having vacuum bags 12,provides access to vacuum bags 12 located in the collection chamber 28.In some embodiments, the opening 84 also provides access to otherelements and systems of the vacuum system 10, such as, for example, thevacuum motor 48 and the controller 160 (described below) so thatoperators can perform maintenance operations.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,15, and 19A-19F, the second module 22 includes a door 88, which isconnected to the side wall 80. As shown in FIGS. 19A-19F, the door 88 ismoveable relative to the side wall 80 between a closed position, inwhich the door 88 substantially covers the opening 84, and an openedposition, in which the door 88 is moved away from the opening 84. In theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, 15, and 19A-19F, the door 88 alsoincludes a handle 90 for moving the door 88 between the opened andclosed positions and a viewing window 92 so that operators can view thecontents of the collection chamber 26 (e.g., the vacuum bag 12 and/ordebris collected in the collection chamber 28) without having to openthe door 88.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19B-19E, the second module 22 can also includea seal or gasket 94 secured in the opening 84, or alternatively, securedto the door 88 for movement with the door 88 relative to the side wall80. In these embodiments, the gasket 94 provides a seal and preventsand/or reduces movement of air and debris through the opening 84 whenthe door 88 is in the closed position.

The third module 24 defines the lower portion of the collection chamber28 and includes a bottom wall 96 and a side wall 98. Together, thebottom and side walls 96, 98 can define a pail 100, which is operable tocollect and contain debris and/or support a vacuum bag 12. In someembodiments, the third module 24 can also support one or morereplacement bags 12. In other embodiments, replacement bags 12 can behoused in other locations throughout the housing 18.

In some embodiments, the vacuum system 10 can include a locking assembly104 for securing the third module 24 to the second module 22. In theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-15, 18, and 19A-19G, the vacuum system10 includes two locking assemblies 104 positioned between the second andthird modules 22, 24. In other embodiments, the vacuum system 10 caninclude one, three, or more locking assemblies 104.

The locking assembly 104 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-15,18, and 19A-19G include protrusions 106 extending outwardly from theside wall 80 of the second module 22 and latches 108 connected to theside wall 98 of the third module 24. In other embodiments, the lockingassemblies 104 can include protrusions 106 extending outwardly from theside wall 98 of the third module 24 and latches 108 connected to theside wall 80 of the second module 22. In other embodiments, the lockingassembly 104 can include other inter-engaging elements and fasteners,such as for example, screws, nails, rivets, pins, posts, clips, clamps,and any combination of such fasteners.

With reference to the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-15, 18, 19A-19G,the latches 108 are pivotably connected to the side wall 98 for movementbetween locking positions (shown in FIGS. 1-14), in which the latches108 lockingly engage the protrusions 106 to secure the third module 24to the second module 22, and unlocking positions (not shown), in whichthe latches 108 are moved away from and out of engagement with theprotrusions 106, thereby allowing the third module 24 to be separatedfrom the second module 22.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-19G,the locking assemblies 104 are operable to lift the third module 24 froma floor, table, or shelf and to move the third module 24 toward thesecond module 22. In these embodiments, an operator positions the thirdmodule 24 under the second module 22 and positions the upper ends of thelatches 108 on the protrusions 106. The operator then pivots the latches108 downwardly from the unlocking positions toward the locking positionsto lift the third module 24 upwardly and into engagement with the secondmodule 22.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19G, a lip 110 extends upwardly from the sidewall 98 of the third module 24 and is engageable with the ridge 82 andthe side wall 80 of the second module 22 to form a seal between thesecond and third modules 22, 24 and to prevent and/or reduce movement ofair and debris between the second and third modules 22, 24. In someembodiments, the vacuum system 10 can also include a gasket or seal 112positioned between the lower end of the second module 22 and an upperend of the third module 24.

The vacuum system 12 can also include an adapter 116, which extends intothe collection chamber 28 and is engageable with a vacuum bag 12 tofluidly connect the vacuum motor 48 and the duct system 14 to the vacuumbag 12. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19C-19E, the adapter 116 can extendthrough an upper portion of the second module 22 and can be oriented todirect debris downwardly into the collection chamber 28 and/or the bag12. In other embodiments, the adapter 116 can have other orientationsand can extend through other portions of the collection chamber 28.

The vacuum system 10 can also include a bag mounting assembly 118, whichextends into the upper portion of the collection chamber 28 and isoperable to support a vacuum bag 12 in the housing 18. In someembodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 11, 12, 15, and19C-19E, the bag mounting assembly 118 includes a mounting plate 120,which is connected to the adapter 116 and the side wall 80 of the secondmodule 22, and a bag plate 122, which is pivotably connected to the sidewall 98 of the second module 22 for pivoting movement relative to theside wall 80 and the mounting plate 120 between a locking position, inwhich the bag plate 122 is adjacent to the mounting plate 120, and anunlocking position, in which at least a portion of the bag plate 122 ismoved away from the mounting plate 120.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15, the bag plate 122 defines acentral opening 126 and includes rails 130 located on opposite sides ofthe opening 126. In some embodiments, a bag 12 or a portion of a bag 12can be inserted through the opening 126 in the bag plate 122 and the bagplate 122 can be moved from the unlocking position toward the lockingposition to trap or lock the bag 12 or a portion of the bag 12 betweenthe bag plate 122 and the mounting plate 120 and to connect the bag 12to the adapter 116.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 15A, the vacuum bag 12 includes abody 132 enclosing an interior space and having an opening through whichdebris can pass. The bag 12 also includes a flange 134 positionedadjacent to the opening in the body 132. The flange 134 defines an inlet136 and supports a cover 138 for sliding movement relative to the flange134. As shown in FIG. 15A, the cover 138 includes an opening 140 and ismoveable relative to the flange 134 between an opened position, in whichthe opening 140 of the cover 138 is substantially aligned with the inlet136 of the flange 134, and a closed position, in which the opening 140of the cover 138 is moved out of alignment with the inlet 136 of theflange 134 so that at least a portion of the cover 138 substantiallycovers the inlet 136 of the flange 134.

In embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-15 inwhich the bag 12 includes a flange 134, the flange 134 can be secured tothe bag plate 122 for movement with the bag plate 122 between thelocking position and the unlocking position. In these embodiments, theflange 126 is inserted between the rails 130 and is moved rearwardlyalong the rails 130 into engagement with the bag plate 122. The bagplate 122 can then be moved from the unlocking positioned toward thelocking position to secure the bag 12 to the adapter 116 so that atleast a portion of the adapter 116 extends through the opening 140 ofthe cover 138 and the inlet 136 of the flange 140 to direct debris intothe bag 12. Once the bag plate 122 is moved toward the locking position,a latch or fastener 144 can secure the bag plate 122 to the mountingplate 118.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-19E,the bag mounting assembly 118 can include a protrusion 146, whichextends outwardly from the bag plate 122 and which is engageable in arecess 148 in the cover 138 of the bag 12. As shown in FIGS. 15A, 19C,and 19D, when the flange 134 is inserted into the bag plate 122, theprotrusion 146 engages the recess 148 so that when the flange 134 isremoved from the bag plate 122, the engagement between the protrusion146 of the bag plate 122 and the recess 148 of the cover 138 will causethe cover 138 to move relative to the flange 134 between the openedposition and the closed position. In this manner, at least a portion ofthe cover 138 can be moved across the inlet 136 in the flange 134 beforethe bag 12 is removed from the collection chamber 28, thereby preventingdebris from exiting the bag 12 through the inlet 136 as the bag 12 isremoved from the vacuum system 10.

As shown in FIG. 15, the vacuum system 10 can also include a filter 154positioned between the vacuum motor 48 and the vacuum bag 12. In theseembodiments, the filter 154 substantially prevents debris from movingfrom the collection chamber 28 into the drive space 26, therebypreventing debris from moving from the collection chamber 28 into thevacuum motor 48 or from a bag 12 located in the collection chamber 28into the vacuum motor 48. The filter 154 can also prevent debris fromentering the drive space 26 when a bag 12 located in the collectionchamber 28 is punctured or torn.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15, thefilter 154 is removeably secured in the collection chamber 28 betweenbrackets and is accessible through the opening 84 in the side wall 88 ofthe second module 22. In these embodiments, an operator can open thedoor 80 to clean or change the filter 154 when the filter 154 becomessoiled, or alternatively, an operator can clean the filter 154 each timethe operator inserts a new bag 12 into the collection chamber 28 or eachtime the operator removes debris from the collection chamber 28.

To facilitate filter replacement, the filter 154 can include a tab 156,which extends downward into the collection chamber 28. In theseembodiments, the tab 156 is oriented to be accessible through theopening 84.

In some embodiments, an operator can clean the filter 154 by inserting ahand into the collection chamber 28 through the door 88 and tapping orshaking the filter 154. Debris trapped in the filter 154 will then fallto the bottom of the collection chamber 26.

The vacuum system 10 can also include a controller 160 operable tocontrol and monitor operation of the vacuum system 10 and a displaypanel 162 for displaying system data relating to the operation of thevacuum system 10. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-15, thecontroller 160 is located in the first module 20 and the display panel162 is positioned on the outer wall of the motor cage 38. In otherembodiments, the controller 160 and the display 162 can have otherorientations and can be supported in other locations in the housing 18.

The vacuum system 10 can also include a number of sensors 164distributed throughout the housing 18 for monitoring and controllingoperation of the vacuum system 10. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.11, a pressure sensor 164 is supported in the collection chamber 28 andis connected to the controller 160 to transmit pressure data to thecontroller 160. In embodiments having pressure sensors 164, thecontroller 160 is operable to calculate the volume of debris collectedin the collection chamber 28 and/or the volume of debris collected in abag 12 supported in the collection chamber 28 using the data receivedfrom the pressure sensor 164. Alternatively or addition, the controller160 can calculate the volume of empty space or debris capacity remainingin the collection chamber 28 or in a bag 12 supported in the collectionchamber 28.

In these embodiments, a base pressure value corresponding to an emptycollection chamber 28 or empty bag 12 is stored in the controller memoryunit. As the collection chamber 28 or a bag 12 supported in thecollection chamber 28 is filled, the air pressure in the collectionchamber 28 increases. The pressure sensor 164 records these increasesand transmits the pressure data to the controller 160. The controller160 continuously compares the pressure data from the sensor 164 to thebase pressure value to calculate the volume of debris in the collectionchamber 28 or in a bag 12 supported in the collection chamber 28.Alternatively or in addition, the controller 160 continuously comparesthe pressure data from the sensor 164 to the base pressure value tocalculate the volume of empty space or capacity remaining in thecollection chamber 28 or in a bag 12 supported in the collection chamber28 as debris is collected.

In other embodiments, a maximum pressure value corresponding to a fullcollection chamber 28 or a full bag 12 is stored in the controllermemory unit. In operation, the pressure sensor 164 records the increasesin pressure as debris is collected in the collection chamber 28, oralternatively, in a bag 12 supported in the collection chamber 28. Thepressure sensor 164 transmits the pressure data to the controller 160and the controller 160 continuously compares the pressure data from thesensor 164 to the maximum pressure value to calculate the volume ofdebris in the collection chamber 28 or in a bag 12 supported in thecollection chamber 28. Alternatively or in addition, the controller 160continuously compares the pressure data from the sensor 164 to themaximum pressure value to calculate the volume of empty space orcapacity remaining in the collection chamber 28 or in a bag 12 supportedin the collection chamber 28 as debris is collected.

In some embodiments, the display panel 162 displays the remainingcapacity in the collection chamber 28 or in the bag 12 supported in thecollection chamber 28, or alternatively, displays the volume of debrisin the collection chamber 28 or in the bag 12 supported in thecollection chamber 28. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,11-13, 15, 16, 19A-19F, the display panel 162 includes a number oflights (e.g., light emitting diodes or “LEDs”), which are illuminated toinform the operator of the remaining capacity or to inform the operatorof the volume of debris collected. For example, the display panel 162can include one or more green lights, one or more amber lights, and oneor more red lights, which are sequentially illuminated to indicate thechanging collection chamber capacity. In other embodiments, the displaypanel 162 can include other indicators or display screens (e.g., a videoscreen, a liquid crystal display, or the like) which are operable todisplay data corresponding to collection chamber capacity.

It has been found that, in some embodiments, the vacuum motor 48 canbecome overheated and/or damaged when the vacuum system 10 is operatedafter the collection chamber 28 or a bag 12 supported in the collectionchamber 28 is filled to a maximum allowable capacity.

In some embodiments, the controller 160 is operable to shutdown thevacuum motor 48 when the collection chamber 28 or a bag 12 supported inthe collection chamber 28 is full to prevent damage to the vacuum motor48. In these embodiments, a maximum allowable pressure valuecorresponding to a maximum allowable capacity of debris is stored in thecontroller memory unit. When the pressure sensor 164 records a pressurevalue in the collection chamber 28 which is greater than or equal to themaximum allowable pressure value, the controller 160 shuts down thevacuum motor 48. Alternatively or in addition, the controller 160 can beprogrammed to display a warning message or to activate a warning lightwhen the pressure sensor 164 records a pressure value in the collectionchamber 28 which is greater than or equal to the maximum allowablepressure value.

In some embodiments, the vacuum system 10 includes temperature sensors168, which are positioned in the drive space 26 and are operable torecord the temperature of the vacuum motor 48. In these embodiments, amaximum temperature value corresponding to a maximum allowable motortemperature is stored in the controller memory unit. When thetemperature sensor 168 records a temperature value in the drive space 26which is greater than or equal to the maximum allowable temperature, thecontroller 160 shuts down the vacuum motor 48 to prevent or reducedamage to the vacuum motor 48. Alternatively or in addition, thecontroller 160 can be programmed to display a warning message or toactivate a warning light when the temperature sensor 168 records atemperature value in the collection chamber 28 which is greater than orequal to the maximum allowable temperature value.

In other embodiments, other sensors can be positioned in the collectionchamber 28 to record data corresponding to the capacity of thecollection chamber 28 or a bag 12 supported in the collection chamber 28to monitor operation of the vacuum system 10. For example, the vacuumsystem 12 can include microphones positioned in the collection chamber28. In these embodiments, sound data is transmitted from the microphonesto the controller 160 and the controller 160 calculates the capacity ofthe collection chamber 28 or a bag 12 supported in the collectionchamber 28.

The controller 160 can also include a timer. In these embodiments, amaximum motor operation time is stored in the controller memory unit andthe controller 160 is programmed to alert the operator or shut down thevacuum motor 48 when the vacuum motor 48 is operated longer than themaximum motor operation time. For example, the controller 160 can beprogrammed to shut down the vacuum motor 48 if the vacuum motor 48 iscontinually operated for 3 hours. Alternatively or in addition, thecontroller 160 can be programmed to shut down the vacuum motor 48 whenthe vacuum motor 48 is operated for more than 3 hours during a 4 hourperiod.

In embodiments having a timer, the controller 160 can be programmed toestimate the length of time the vacuum motor 48 is operated between bagreplacements or occasions in which the collection chamber 28 is emptied.In these embodiments, the controller 160 can be programmed toprogressively illuminate lights on the control panel 162 correspondingto the length of time the vacuum motor 48 has been operated between bagreplacements or occasions in which the collection chamber 28 is emptied.For example, in some embodiments, the controller 160 is programmed toilluminate a first green light after one hour of vacuum motor operation,a second green light after a second hour of vacuum motor operation, anamber light after a third hour of vacuum motor operation, and a redlight after a fourth hour of vacuum motor operation.

In embodiments having a controller 160, the vacuum system 10 can alsoinclude a reset button 170. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 16,the reset button 170 is located on the display panel 162. In otherembodiments, the reset button 170 can be located in other locations onthe housing 18. In still other embodiments, the reset button 170 can belocated on the hose which is connected to the duct system 14 so that theoperator can reset the vacuum system 10 without having to walk to thehousing 18.

In embodiments having a reset button 170, an operator can press thereset button 170 to restart the vacuum motor 48 after replacing the fullvacuum bag 12 with a new bag 12 or after the operator empties thecollection chamber 28. In embodiments having a pressure sensor 164, thecontroller 160 can be programmed to record a new pressure value in thecollection chamber 28 after the reset button 170 has been pressed. Ifafter being shut down, the pressure sensor 146 again records a pressurevalue greater than the maximum allowable pressure value, the controller160 can be programmed to shut down the vacuum motor 48 or to alert theoperator. In other embodiments having other sensors, such as, forexample, temperature sensors or microphones, the controller 160 can beprogrammed to record new values after the reset button 170 is pressedand to compare these new values to predetermined maximum values. If thenew values remain greater than the predetermined allowable values, thecontroller 160 can be programmed to shut down the vacuum motor 48 asecond time, or alternatively, to alert the operator (e.g., byilluminating a warning light on the display panel 162.

In embodiments having a bag mounting assembly 118 for supporting avacuum bag 12, an operator opens the door 88 to insert a new bag 12 intothe collection chamber 28. The operator then pivots the bag plate 122downwardly from the locking position toward the unlocking position.Next, the operator inserts a vacuum bag 12 into the collection chamber28 so that the body 132 extends downwardly into the third module 24 andaligns the flange 134 of the vacuum bag 12 with the rails 130 of the bagplate 122. The operator then moves the flange 134 into engagement withthe bag plate 122. As the flange 134 is engaged with the bag plate 122,the cover 138 is moved forwardly with respect to the flange 134 to alignthe opening 140 in the cover 138 with the inlet 136 in the flange 134and to engage the protrusion 146 of the bag mounting assembly 118 in therecess 148 in the cover 138.

The operator next pivots the bag plate 122 upwardly toward the lockingposition, moving the flange 134 into engagement with the adapter 116 sothat at least a portion of the adapter 116 extends through the inlet 136in the flange 134 and through the opening 140 in the cover 138. Theoperator then secures the bag plate 122 in the locking position with thelatch 144 and closes the door 88, sealing the bag 12 in the collectionchamber 28.

The operator can then operate the vacuum system 10 in a conventionalmanner to draw debris into a hose, nozzle, or other port and through theduct system 14 toward the adapter 116, which directs the debris into thevacuum bag 12.

Over time, the vacuum system 10 fills the bag 12 with debris. Inembodiments of the vacuum system 10 having a controller 160 and adisplay panel 162, the controller can be operable to alert the operatorwhen the bag 12 is filled and when bag replacement is necessary, asmentioned above. Alternatively or in addition, the operator can open thedoor 88 to determine when bag replacement is necessary or the operatorcan look through the viewing window 92 in the door 88 to determine whenbag replacement is required.

When bag replacement is required, the operator shuts down the vacuummotor 48 and opens the door 88. The operator then grasps the latch 144to unlock the bag assembly 118 and pivots the bag plate 122 and the bagflange 134 downwardly toward the unlocking position. The operator thenslides the bag flange 134 forwardly along the rails 130 and away fromthe bag mounting assembly 118.

As the bag flange 134 is moved away from the bag mounting assembly 118,the protrusion 146 on the bag mounting assembly 118 remains engaged inthe recess 148 in the cover 138, causing the cover 138 to move relativeto the flange 134 from the opened position toward the closed position sothat the cover 138 extends across and substantially covers the inlet 136in the flange 134. The operator then removes the bag flange 134 from thebag mounting assembly 118 and lets the bag 12 fall to the bottom of thecollection chamber 28 (i.e., the bottom of the third module 24).

Next, the operator moves the locking assemblies 104 from the lockingpositions toward the unlocking positions and removes the third module 24(and consequently the bag 12 supported in the third module 24) from thesecond module 22. The operator can then remove the bag 12 from the thirdmodule 24 and dispose of the bag 12 in a conventional manner.

Once the bag 12 has been removed, the operator reconnects the thirdmodule 24 to the second module 22 and moves the locking assemblies 104toward the locking positions to secure the third module 24 to the secondmodule 22. The operator can then insert a new bag 12 into the collectionchamber 28, as explained above.

In embodiments not having a bag mounting assembly 118 for supporting avacuum bag 12, the operator operates the vacuum system 10 in aconventional manner to draw debris into a hose or nozzle and through theduct system 14 toward the adapter 116, which directs the debris into thecollection chamber 28.

Over time, the vacuum system 10 fills the collection chamber 28 withdebris. In embodiments of the vacuum system 10 having a controller 160and a display panel 162, the controller can be operable to alert theoperator when the collection chamber 28 is filled and when it isnecessary to empty the collection chamber 28, as mentioned above.Alternatively or in addition, the operator can open the door 88 todetermine when it is necessary to empty the collection chamber 28, oralternatively, the operator can look through the viewing window 92 inthe door 88 to determine when it is necessary to empty the collectionchamber 28.

When it is necessary to empty the collection chamber 28, the operatorshuts down the vacuum motor 48. The operator then moves the lockingassemblies 104 from the locking positions toward the unlocking positionsand removes the third module 24 (and the debris contained in the thirdmodule 24) from the second module 22. The operator can then empty thethird module 24 and dispose of the debris in a conventional manner.

Once the debris has been removed from the third module 24, the operatorreconnects the third module 24 to the second module 22 and moves thelocking assembly 104 toward the locking position to secure the thirdmodule 24 to the second module 22. The operator can then resumeoperation of the vacuum system 10.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate another embodiment of the vacuum system 10Aaccording to the present invention. The vacuum system 10A in FIGS. 22and 23 is similar in many ways to the illustrated embodiments of FIGS.1-21 described above. Accordingly, with the exception of mutuallyinconsistent features and elements between the embodiment of FIGS. 22and 23 and the embodiments of FIGS. 1-21, reference is hereby made tothe description above accompanying the embodiments of FIGS. 1-21 for amore complete description of the features and elements (and thealternatives to the features and elements) of the embodiment of FIGS. 22and 23. Features and elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23corresponding to features and elements in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-21are identified by the same reference number and the letter “A”.

FIGS. 22-23 illustrate a vacuum system 10A having a housing 18A, whichdefines a first module 20A, a second module 22A, and a third module 24A.Together, the first and second modules 20A, 22A at least partiallydefine a drive space or motor chamber 26A. Together, the second andthird housing portions 22A, 24A substantially enclose a collectionchamber 28A.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and23, the vacuum system 10A includes a cyclonic drive system 210,including a vacuum motor 48A, which is operable to draw debris throughthe duct system 14 and into the collection chamber 28A. In otherembodiments, other drive systems, including conventional vacuum drivesystems can also or alternately be used.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the second module 22A defines an upperportion of the collection chamber 28A and includes an upper wall 54A anda side wall 80A. An opening 84A extends through the side wall 80A andprovides access to the collection chamber 28A and to a filter 12Asupported in the collection chamber 28A. In some embodiments, such asthe illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, a door 88A is connectedto the side wall 80A and is moveable relative to the side wall 80Abetween a closed position, in which the door 88A substantially coversthe opening 84A, and an opened position, in which the door 88A is movedaway from the opening 84A.

The third module 24A defines the lower portion of the collection chamber28A and includes a bottom wall 96A and a side wall 98A. Together, thebottom and the side walls 96A, 98A can define a pail 100A, which isoperable to collect and contain debris. As shown in the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, the vacuum system 10A can include alocking assembly 104A for securing the third module 24A to the secondmodule 22A.

The vacuum system 10A can also include a filter mounting assembly 118Afor supporting a filter 12A in the collection space 28A. In theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, the filter mounting assembly118A includes a generally cylindrical mounting plate 120A secured to theside wall 80A of the second module 22A and extending circumferentiallyaround the collection chamber 28A. In other embodiments, the mountingplate 120A can have other shapes and can be positioned in otherlocations in the collection chamber 28A. As shown in FIG. 23, themounting plate 120A can also include a number of radially extending ribs212.

As shown in FIG. 23, a filter 12A formed of a flexible or elastomericmaterial can be secured to the mounting plate 120A and can include abody 214 enclosing an interior space and an edge 216 defining an opening218. In the illustrated embodiment, shown in FIG. 23, a fastener 220,such as, an elastic band, secures the edge 216 of the filter 12A to themounting plate 120A between the ribs 212 for movement relative to themounting plate 120A between an inflated orientation, in which at least aportion of the filter 12A extends upwardly from the mounting plate 12Athrough the collection chamber 28A, and a deflated orientation, in whichthe filter 12A hangs downwardly from the mounting plate 120A through alower portion of the collection chamber 28A. In other embodiments, otherconventional fasteners can be employed to secure the filter 12A to themounting plate 120A as just described, such as pins, posts, clips,clamps, inter-engaging elements, and any combination of such fasteners.

As shown in FIG. 23, the filter 12A can include a weight 222, which issecured to a lower end of the filter 12A and is operable to maintain thefilter 12A in the deflated orientation when the vacuum system 10 is notin operation.

In some embodiments, the side wall 80A of the second module 22A definesan inlet 228 communicating between atmosphere and the collection chamber28A. In embodiments of the vacuum system 10A having a mounting plate120A, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, themounting plate 120A can also define an opening 230, which is generallyaligned with the inlet in the second wall 80A. As shown in FIGS. 22 and23, a conduit 234 extends radially through the inlet 228 in the sidewall 80A of the second module 22A and, in embodiments having a mountingplate 120A, through the opening 230 into the collection chamber 28A.

During operation, an operator connects a hose or nozzle to the ductsystem 14 and activates the vacuum motor 48A, which operates to drawdebris and air through the duct system 14 and into the collectionchamber 28A through the conduit 234. In embodiments of the vacuum system10A having a filter mounting assembly 118A and a filter 12A supported inthe collection chamber 28A, air and debris entering the collectionchamber 28A move the filter 12A relative to the mounting plate 120A fromthe deflated orientation toward the inflated orientation. The filter 12Acan then operate as a filter, allowing air to move upwardly through thecollection chamber 28A and outwardly toward the exhaust system 66A whilepreventing debris from exiting the collection chamber 28A. In addition,the filter 12A can prevent or reduce movement of debris from thecollection chamber 28A into the drive space 26A.

In embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23having a cyclonic drive system 210, air and debris entering thecollection chamber 28A is directed along a generally circular flow pathwithin the collection chamber 28A. In these embodiments, centrifugalforces cause the debris to be separated from the air. In otherembodiments, the vacuum system 10A can include other conventional drivesystems and filter systems, which can operate to separate the debrisfrom the air in the collection chamber 28A.

To remove debris from the collection chamber 28A, the operator shutsdown the vacuum motor 48A and removes the third module 24A from thesecond module 22A. The operator can then empty the third module 24A anddispose of the debris in a conventional manner.

In embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23having a filter mounting assembly 118A and a filter 12A, the operatorcan open the door 88A and can reach into the collection chamber 28Athrough the opening 84A. The operator can then tap an upper or cleanside of the filter 12A to dislodge any debris accumulated on the filter12A. The debris will then drop into the third module 24A and can bedisposed as described above.

FIGS. 24-39 illustrate another embodiment of a central vacuum system 300according to the present invention. The central vacuum system 300 inFIGS. 24-39 is similar in many ways to the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 1-23 described above. Accordingly, with the exception of mutuallyinconsistent features and elements between the embodiment of FIGS. 24-39and the embodiments of FIGS. 1-23, reference is hereby made to thedescription above accompanying the embodiments of FIGS. 1-23 for a morecomplete description of the features and elements (and the alternativesto the features and elements) of the embodiment of FIGS. 24-39. Featuresand elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 24-39 corresponding to featuresand elements in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-23 are numbered in the 300and 400 series.

As shown in FIG. 24, the central vacuum system 300 includes a housing304 having a first module or housing portion 308, a second module orhousing portion 312, and a third module or housing portion 316. Thefirst module 308 includes a motor cage 320 and a cap 324 and defines adrive space or motor chamber 328 and a sound dampening chamber 332. Thesecond and third housing portions 312, 316 together at least partiallydefine a collection chamber 336. As used herein and in particularrelation to the collection chamber 336, the second housing portion 312at least partially defines an upper portion of the housing 304 and thethird housing portion at least partially defines a lower portion of thehousing 304. The lower housing portion 316 can be detachable from theupper housing portion 312 as described above with reference to FIGS.1-23.

The upper housing portion 312 can include a first housing member 340 anda second housing member 344, shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, respectively. Thefirst and second housing members 340, 344 have respective lower edges348, 350 that together form a lower interface 352 of the upper housingportion 312 for engaging a corresponding interface of the lower housingportion 316.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower interface 352 of the upperhousing portion 312 is substantially oval-shaped or elliptical.Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing portion312 is substantially oval-shaped or elliptical in cross-section and eachone of the first and second housing members 340, 344 is semi-ellipticalin cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, each one of the firstand second housing members 340, 344 is formed as a half-ellipse incross-section, and each one of the first and second housing members 340,344 can form a long side of the ellipse and portions of both short sidesof the ellipse (as viewed in cross-section or in FIG. 27). In otherembodiments, the upper housing portion 312 and/or the first and secondhousing members 340, 344 can have other cross-sectional shapes andconfigurations. By way of example only the upper housing portion 312and/or the first and second housing members 340, 344 can have atriangular, a circular, a rectangular, an irregular shape, or can haveany other polygonal or non-polygonal shape desired.

The first housing member 340 includes two side edges 356 that, in theillustrated embodiment, extend substantially perpendicular to a planedefined by the lower interface 352. Similarly, the second housing member344 includes two side edges 360 that, in the illustrated embodiment,extend substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the lowerinterface 352 and can be arranged parallel to the two side edges 356 ofthe first housing member 340 and engaged therewith. In otherembodiments, the side edges 356 of the first housing member 340 and theside edges 360 of the second housing member 344 can have otherorientations and configurations. For example, in some embodiments, oneor both of the side edges 356 of the first housing member 340 and one orboth of the side edges 360 of the second housing member 344 can beoriented at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the plane definedby the lower interface 352. Alternatively or in addition, one or both ofthe side edges 356 of the first housing member 340 and one or both ofthe side edges 360 of the second housing member 344 can have anon-linear or irregular shape.

In some embodiments, the side edges 356 of the first housing member 340are non-removably secured to the side edges 360 of the second housingmember 344. In some embodiments, the respective side edges 356, 360 ofthe first and second housing members 340, 344 can be non-removablysecured together (e.g., by welding, chemical bonding, epoxy, etc.) toprovide a pair of longitudinal seams 364 (shown in FIGS. 35-37)extending along at least a portion of a height of the upper housingportion 312. In some such embodiments, the respective side edges 356,360 of the first and second housing members 340, 344 can be hotplatewelded together.

The seams 364 can be substantially leak-proof to provide adequatesealing from the atmosphere, and thus, adequate vacuuming power andsuction. Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least one of the firsthousing member 340 and the second housing member 344 can include atleast one flange 368 (shown in FIG. 24) that substantially conceals oneor more of the seams 364 in the upper housing portion 312 from casualview. In some embodiments, the first housing member 340 is front-facing(i.e., extending outwardly from a wall of a building) during use and isformed with a flange 368 adjacent each of its two side edges 356 toconceal the seams 364 between the first housing member 340 and thesecond housing member 344 from the front view of the housing 304.

The first and second housing members 340, 344 can be joined together asdescribed above to at least partially define the collection chamber 336.As shown in FIG. 25, the first housing member 340 can include agenerally centrally-located opening 372 through which the collectionchamber 336 can be selectively accessed (e.g., such as, for example,during non-operational periods). A movable access door 376 (shown inFIG. 24) can be pivotably and/or removably mounted to the first housingmember 340 to selectively provide access to the collection chamber 336.As shown in FIG. 25, a latch opening 378 can be formed in the firsthousing member 340 adjacent the opening 372. The latch opening 378 caneither engage a latch member (not shown) on the access door 376directly, or alternately, the latch opening 378 can receive one or moreadditional latch components which selectively engage a latch member onthe access door 376 to selectively securely retain the access door 376in a closed position (FIG. 1).

The second housing member 344 can include one or more inlet openings 380connectable with a duct system (not shown) and configured to selectivelydirect dirt, debris, etc. toward the collection chamber 336 as describedin detail above. In the illustrated embodiment and as shown in FIG. 26,the second housing member 344 includes upper and lower inlet openings380A, 380B. In other embodiments, the second housing member 344 caninclude one, three, or more inlet openings having other relativeorientations and locations. In still other embodiments, one or moreinlet openings can be located on or defined by the first housing member340. In some embodiments, the inlet openings 380A, 380B are formed asintegral portions of the second housing member 344 and need not beconnected thereto with any additional components, materials, etc.

In some embodiments, a vacuum bag (not shown) is mounted inside thecollection chamber 336 to retain dirt, debris, etc. that is moved intothe collection chamber 336 through the upper inlet openings 380A. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 26, the upper inlet openings 380A jointogether at a discharge aperture 380A′. A mounting interface adjacentthe discharge aperture 380A′ can include a sealing rim 381 and bosses382 having threaded apertures 382A. In some embodiments, a pipe elbowand/or a bag mounting plate (not shown) are connectable to the secondhousing member 344 at the discharge aperture 380A′. When a vacuum bag isused with the vacuum system 300, some of the inlet openings (e.g., thelower inlet openings 380B) are not necessarily used, and can be blockedoff or closed. In some such embodiments, the lower inlet openings 380Bcan be capped at their outer ends so as to not reduce the suction powerof the vacuum system 300.

In alternate embodiments, the vacuum system 300 can be equipped forso-called “bagless” operation. In some such embodiments, the samehousing members 340, 344 can be used either with or without a vacuumbag. When configured for bagless operation, the pipe elbow and bagmounting plate can be removed from the discharge aperture 380A′. In somesuch configurations the discharge aperture 380A can be at leastpartially covered or sealed.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, each of the housing members 340, 344 caninclude a peripheral mounting channel 383 located above the lower inletopenings 380B. The peripheral mounting channels 383 can be integrallyformed with the respective first and second housing members 340, 344,which can be enabled by the pull direction of the tooling as describedin further detail below.

A filter (e.g., a permanent filter) (not shown) can be mounted in theperipheral mounting channels 383 (which together form a single, amounting channel 383 when the first and second housing members 340, 344are joined together). In some such embodiments, the upper inlet openings380A can be blocked off, such as being capped at their outer ends.During operation of the central vacuum system 300, debris drawn into thevacuum system 300 through the lower inlet openings 380B can be trappedin the collection chamber 336 below the filter so as to keep the debrisout of the motor chamber 328.

By constructing the upper housing portion 312 from two or more pieces(e.g., two halves), the first housing member 340 and the second housingmember 344 of the upper housing portion 312 can be formed bymanufacturing processes different than if the upper housing portion 312were manufactured as a single integral member. By initiallymanufacturing the first housing member 340 and the second housing member344 as separate pieces, detailed features can be incorporated intoand/or integrally formed with the first housing member 340 and thesecond housing member 344. In some embodiments, some of these featurescan be features that can be more difficult or impossible to incorporatein an upper housing portion 312 formed as a single piece. In some suchembodiments, by manufacturing the upper housing portion 312 in more thanone piece, the total number of parts in the central vacuum system 300can be reduced by incorporating several features and/or componentsintegrally into the first and second housing members 340, 344.

Additionally, the tooling for making the first and second housingmembers 340, 344 can allow greater flexibility in the forming ofstrengthening ribs. Thus, the upper housing portion 312 can beconstructed with a relatively thin outer wall and can provide sufficientstrength and/or stiffness. In some embodiments, the wall thickness ofthe first housing member 340 and the second housing member 344 can bereduced by between about 35% and about 40% while providing an increasein stiffness (due to ribbing) compared to a unitarily-formed upperhousing portion.

In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the second housing member344 (shown FIG. 29) includes four longitudinally-extending ribs 384positioned on an outside surface 388. A large transverse rib 392intersects the four longitudinal ribs 384 and is flanked by respectiveupper and lower depressions 396, 400. A duct at least partially definingthe upper inlet openings 380A can be positioned within the upperdepression 396.

As shown in FIG. 30, the first and second housing members 340, 344 canalso or alternatively include a number of ribs 404 arranged along therespective lower edges 348, 350 (as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26). Alsoshown in FIG. 30 are four longitudinal ribs 408 positioned along aninner surface 412 of the first housing member 340. In the illustratedembodiment, the longitudinal ribs 408 on the inner surface 412 of thefirst housing member 340 are arranged in pairs with one pair adjacent toeach side of the opening 372. A decorative outer wall portion 409 asshown in FIGS. 24, 25, and 28-30 may be attached to or integrally formedwith the first and second housing members 340, 344 adjacent the loweredges 348, 350 thereof. The outer wall portion 409 may conceal sinkmarks that may form in the outer surfaces of the first and/or secondhousing members 340, 344 due to the formation (e.g., molding) ofinternal ribs.

As shown in FIGS. 30, 35, and 37, the second housing member 344 can alsoor alternatively include upper and lower slots 413A, 413B, which receivea wall mount bracket 414. In some embodiments, the upper and lower slots413A, 413B can be integrally formed with the second housing member 344.The wall mount bracket 414 can be used to secure the vacuum system 300to a stationary substrate (e.g., a wall) within an inhabitablestructure, such as, for example, a house, commercial building, etc. Theintegration of features into the first and second housing members 340,344 is a result of the pull direction of the tooling used to separatelymanufacture the first and second housing members 340, 344. Such toolingcan also or alternatively allow the formation of an internal stiffeningring portion 415 (shown in FIGS. 25-32) adjacent to the lower edges 348,350 of the first and second housing members 340, 344, respectively.

Several apertures 415A are circumferentially spaced around the internalstiffening ring portion 415 on both the first and second housing members340, 344 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. The apertures 415A serve as airpassages to allow air to move between the opposing sides of the internalstiffening ring portion 415. The ability for air to flow through theapertures 415A allows pressure equalization, preventing a vacuum bagwithin the collection chamber 336 from catching and/or sealing to theinternal stiffening ring portion 415.

As shown in FIGS. 28-34, a motor plate or third housing member 416 canbe connected to the upper housing portion 312 to define an upper wall ofthe upper housing portion 312. The motor plate 416 can includereceptacle portions 420 for supporting vacuum motors 424 mounted withinthe drive space 328 of the first module 308. In the illustratedembodiment, the motor plate 416 includes two receptacle portions 420. Asingle vacuum motor 424 can be mounted to the motor plate 416, oralternately, two vacuum motors 424 can be mounted to the motor plate416, depending at least partially upon the size of the duct networkand/or the desired vacuum power. In embodiments having a single motor424, the other receptacle portion 420 can be at least partially covered.Each receptacle portion 420 can include a peripheral sealing lip 426and/or a compressible seal on the interior surface of the receptacleportion 420. The sealing lips 426 can directly or indirectly seal withand/or support the respective vacuum motors 424 within the receptacleportions 420.

The motor plate 416 can include a generally dome-shaped body portion428. The dome-shape of the body portion 428 provides increased strengthcompared to a flat plate to securely support one or more vacuum motors424 without requiring additional supporting member(s). In theillustrated embodiment, the motor plate 416 includes a lip or rim 432extending around a periphery of the body portion 428.

As shown in FIG. 34, the rim 432 can angled with respect to the bodyportion 428 and can include a pair of concentric ridges 432A, 432B asdiscussed further below. In some embodiments, the rim 432 can beoriented at an acute angle with respect to a lower surface of the bodyportion 428. In other embodiments, the rim 432 can have other relativepositions and orientations with respect to the lower surface of the bodyportion 428.

As shown in FIGS. 25-27, 31, and 32, each of the first and secondhousing members 340, 344 can include an inwardly-extending rim 436positioned adjacent an upper interface 440 of the upper housing portion312. In some constructions, as illustrated in FIGS. 26-29, 31, and 32,the upper interface 440 can include an upstanding outer flange 441 thatthe motor cage 320 fits radially within, thus hiding the lower edge ofthe motor cage 320. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 24-39, theinternal rims 436 of the first and second housing members 340, 344 canbe oriented at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the sides ofthe first and second housing members 340, 344. Together the internalrims 436 of the first and second housing members 340, 344 define aninternal flange 442.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the motor plate 416 can be secured to theupper ends of the first and second housing members 340, 344 and theinternal flange 442. In some embodiments, such as the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 31 and 32, the rim 432 of the motor plate 416, theside walls of the first and second housing members 340, 344, and theinternal flange 442 of the first and second housing members 340, 344 candefine a beam 444 having a substantially triangular cross-sectionalshape. In some such embodiments, the motor plate 416 can be secured tothe upper housing portion 312 and the peripheral flange 442 with twoperimeter welds. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 34, a first weld can be formedbetween the second ridge 432B of the rim 432 and the interior wall ofthe upper housing portion 312. A second weld can be formed between thefirst ridge 432A and a distal edge 442A (FIGS. 27 and 31) of theperipheral flange 442.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the triangular beam 444 can provide extrastiffness between the motor plate 416 and the upper housing portion 312.This, in combination with the domed shape of the motor plate 416, caneliminate and/or reduce the need for additional support members formounting the motor plate 416.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 24-39,the motor plate 416 can include integrated mesh portions or filters 448in one or both of the receptacle portions 420. In some such embodiments,the integrated mesh portions 448 can prevent the passage of particlesand debris of substantial size into the vacuum motor(s) 424. In someembodiments, the integrated mesh portions 448 can eliminate orsignificantly reduce the need for secondary filters (e.g., metallic meshfilters, fabric particulate filters, and the like) upstream and/ordownstream of the motor plate 416. The integrated mesh portions 448 canalso or alternatively prevent or limit access to the motor chamber 328,the vacuum motor(s) 424, and associated electrical hardware, wiring,etc. from the collection chamber 336. This can protect such elementsfrom contact during changing of a vacuum bag, emptying of the collectionchamber 336, and the like.

In some embodiments, the motor plate 416 and the upper housing portion312 can be constructed of different materials. For example, the motorplate 416, which can be subject to greater stresses, vibrations, heatfluctuation, etc., can be constructed of a more rugged material than thefirst and second housing members 340, 344. Alternatively or in addition,the motor plate 416 can be constructed of a material meeting standardsor tolerances relating to housings for electrical components (e.g.,motors, wires, electrical contacts, etc.). In some such embodiments, themotor plate 416 can be formed from a 5VA approved plastic material tomeet UL requirements for an electrical enclosure. The motor cage 320 andthe cap 324 can also or alternatively be constructed of a 5 VA approvedplastic material. The upper housing portion 312 and lower housingportion 316 can be constructed of HB rated plastic material. In someembodiments, one or more components of the housing 304 can beconstructed of a glass-filled material.

As illustrated in FIGS. 28, 29, 33, and 35, the motor plate 416 caninclude one or more supports 450A-C, which are integrally-formed as asingle piece with the motor plate 416 in some embodiments. The supports450A-C can support and/or orient one or more electrical and/ormechanical components of the vacuum 300. For example, as shown in FIG.35, the supports 450A and 450B can support exhaust tubes 464, which arediscussed in further detail below. The support 450C can support or havemounted thereto an electrical component, such as a signal wire, powercable, pressure sensor, etc. In some embodiments, the motor plate 416can include one, two, or more than three supports, each of which cansupport and/or orient mechanical and/or electrical components of thecentral vacuum 300. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 33, the motor plate416 can include a receptacle 451, which in some embodiments, is formedintegrally as one piece with the motor plate 416. The receptacle 451 canbe used to receive a power cable (not shown) in order to keep the powercable in a predetermined position and/or reduce the risk of stressingthe power cable in an undesirable location.

FIGS. 35-39 illustrate various features and aspects associated with thesound dampening chamber 332 located above the drive space 328. In theillustrated embodiment, the sound dampening chamber 332 is at leastpartially defined by a lower wall 452, an upper wall 454, and a sidewall 456. As shown in FIG. 35, the lower wall 452 and the side wall 456can be integrally formed and define three or four sides of the sounddampening chamber 332.

As shown in FIGS. 35, 37, and 38, the lower wall 452 can be penetratedby one or more exhaust outlets 460 coupled to an exhaust side of thevacuum motor(s) 424 with respective exhaust pipes 464. The illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 35-38 includes two vacuum motors 424, two exhaustpipes 464, and two exhaust outlets 460. In other embodiments, thecentral vacuum system 300 can include one, three, or more vacuum motors424, exhaust pipes 464, and/or exhaust outlets 460. As shown in FIGS.35-38, the lower wall 452 can include apertures 468 for receiving theexhaust outlets 460. The exhaust outlets 460 can direct exhausted gas(typically air) toward one side of the sound dampening chamber 332.

As illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 38, the side wall 456 can be generallycrescent-shaped, having several portions having different radii. Anincident portion 456A of the side wall 456, which in the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 35 is the portion closest to the exhaust outlets 460,receives the flow of exhaust gas from the vacuum motor(s) 424 anddirects the exhaust gas along the side wall 456. In the illustratedembodiment, the side wall 456 does not extend fully around the sounddampening chamber 332 from one side of the exhaust outlets 460 to theother. Rather, an end 456B of the side wall 456 opposite the incidentportion 456A terminates short of the exhaust outlets 460 to at leastpartially define an outlet opening 472.

As shown in FIG. 39, the central vacuum system 300 can include an outlet474 (e.g., an outlet portion formed integrally as part of the cap 324 orformed separately and connected to the cap 324), which can be in fluidcommunication with the outlet opening 472 to transfer the exhaust gasout of the sound dampening chamber 332. During operation, the exhaustedgas is directed in a generally spiral flow direction around the sounddampening chamber 332 from the exhaust outlets 460, along the side wall456, and out through the outlet opening 472 adjacent the exhaust outlets460.

In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 24-39,portions of the sound dampening chamber 332 can be covered with anacoustic dampening material to absorb sound energy generated by theoperation of the vacuum motor(s) 424. In some embodiments, the entireside wall 456 or substantial portions of the side wall 456 can becovered with an acoustic dampening material. Portions of the upper wall454 and/or the lower wall 452 can also or alternatively be covered withthe acoustic dampening material. In other embodiments, portions of theupper wall 454 and/or the lower wall 452 are not covered with acousticdampening material adjacent the outlet opening 472.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall 454 of the sound dampeningchamber 332 is formed by a planar upper dampening chamber plate 476. Theupper dampening chamber plate 476 can be at least partially covered withan acoustic dampening material, or alternately, can be formed of anacoustic dampening material. The lower wall 452 of the sound dampeningchamber 332 can be formed by a planar lower dampening chamber plate 480,which, like the upper dampening chamber plate 476, can be at leastpartially covered with an acoustic dampening material, or alternatively,can be formed of an acoustic dampening material.

The side wall 456 can be formed of a generally crescent-shaped spacer484, which can at least partially define the space between the upperwall 454 and the lower wall 452. The spacer 484 can be at leastpartially covered with an acoustic dampening material, or alternately,can be formed of an acoustic dampening material. As mentioned above, thespacer 484 can be formed integrally with at least one of the upper andlower dampening chamber plates 476, 480, or alternately, can be formedseparately and coupled to at least one of, or coupled between, the upperand lower dampening chamber plates 476, 480.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower dampening chamber plate 480includes a set of mounting apertures 488, and a set of notches 492 areformed in the spacer 484. The notches 492 in the spacer 484 can bealigned with the mounting apertures 488 of the lower dampening chamberplate 480. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 484 includes threenotches 492 that can be aligned with three of the four mountingapertures 488. The upper dampening chamber plate 476 includes a set ofnotches 496 that can be aligned with the mounting apertures 488 of thelower dampening chamber plate 480 and/or the notches 492 of the spacer484.

As shown in FIG. 39, the cap 324 can include posts 500 that areconfigured to engage the mounting apertures 488 of the lower dampeningchamber plate 480, the notches 492 of the spacer 484, and the notches496 of the upper dampening chamber plate 476. Thus, the posts 500 canmaintain the relative positions of the upper dampening chamber plate476, the lower dampening chamber plate 480, and the spacer 484 when thecap 324 is assembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the posts 500 areintegrally-formed as part of the cap 324, for example, being integrallymolded therewith. Ribs 504 can extend along each post 500 toward thedistal ends 500A of the posts 500. This allows the distal ends 500A tobe inserted into the mounting apertures 488 in the lower dampeningchamber plate 480.

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate another embodiment of a central vacuum systemaccording to the present invention. The central vacuum system in FIGS.40 and 41 is similar in many ways to the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 1-39 described above. Accordingly, with the exception of mutuallyinconsistent features and elements between the embodiment of FIGS. 40and 41 and the embodiments of FIGS. 1-39, reference is hereby made tothe description above accompanying the embodiments of FIGS. 1-39 for amore complete description of the features and elements (and thealternatives to the features and elements) of the embodiment of FIGS. 40and 41. Features and elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 40 and 41corresponding to features and elements in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-39are numbered in the 500 series.

As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the central vacuum system includes a firsthousing member 540 having a first motor plate portion 516A, which caninclude features similar to the motor plate 416. The first motor plateportion 516A can be coupled to the first housing member 540 in a mannersimilar to the manner in which the motor plate 416 is coupled to thefirst housing member 340.

The central vacuum system can also include a second housing member 544having a second motor plate portion 516B, which is approximatelyequivalent to one half of the motor plate 416. Thus, rather thanassembling the first and second housing members 340 and 344 andsubsequently assembling the motor plate 416 thereto to at leastpartially define the collection chamber 336, the first and secondhousing members 540 and 544 can be directly joined to at least partiallydefine the collection chamber 336, complete with an upper wall thereof,which is formed by the motor plate portions 516A and 516B.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures arepresented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitationupon the concepts and principles of the present invention.

1. A central vacuum connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitablestructure, the central vacuum system comprising: a housing having afirst housing member and a second housing member secured to the firsthousing member, together the first housing member and the second housingmember at least partially defining a collection chamber; a vacuum motorsupported between the first and second housing members and beingoperable to move debris from the interior portion into the collectionchamber; and an adapter extending into the collection chamber forsupporting a bag, at least one of the bag and the adapter beingaccessible through an opening defined in one of the first housing memberand the second housing member.
 2. The central vacuum of claim 1, whereinthe first housing member is formed from a glass-filled material.
 3. Thecentral vacuum of claim 1, wherein the first housing member is hotplatewelded to the second housing member.
 4. The central vacuum of claim 1,wherein the housing includes a third housing member secured to the firstand second housing members to at least partially define the collectionchamber.
 5. The central vacuum of claim 4, wherein the third housingmember supports the vacuum motor adjacent to the collection chamber. 6.The central vacuum of claim 5, wherein the first housing member isformed from HB material.
 7. The central vacuum of claim 4, wherein thethird housing member has a substantially domed configuration.
 8. Thecentral vacuum of claim 5, wherein the third housing member includes anintegral filter.
 9. The central vacuum of claim 1, wherein the firsthousing member is secured to the second housing member along aninterface which is non-perpendicular to an axis extending through themotor and the collection chamber.
 10. The central vacuum of claim 9,wherein the housing includes a third housing member secured to the firstand second housing members along an interface which is substantiallyperpendicular to the interface between the first and second housingmembers to at least partially define the collection chamber.
 11. Thecentral vacuum of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an upper portionand a lower portion removably secured to the upper portion, and whereinthe first housing member and the second housing member at leastpartially define the upper portion.
 12. The central vacuum of claim 1,wherein the second housing member is non-removably secured to the firsthousing member.
 13. A method of assembling a central vacuum systemconnectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure, themethod comprising the acts of: providing a housing having a firsthousing member and a second housing member; securing the first housingmember to the second housing member to at least partially enclose acollection chamber; moving debris from the interior portion into thecollection chamber with a vacuum motor supported by the housing; andpositioning a bag in the collection chamber to receive the debris. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein positioning the bag in the collectionchamber includes inserting the bag through an opening defined in one ofthe first housing member and the second housing member.
 15. The methodof claim 13, further comprising forming at least one of the firsthousing member and the second housing members from a glass-filedmaterial.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein securing the first housingmember to the second housing member includes hotplate welding the firsthousing member to the second housing member.
 17. The method of claim 13,further comprising securing a third housing member to the first andsecond housing members to at least partially enclose the collectionchamber.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising supporting thevacuum motor on the third housing member adjacent to the collectionchamber.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming thefirst and second housing members from a first material and forming thethird housing member from a second material, the second material beingdifferent from the first material.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising forming one of the first and second housing members from HBmaterial.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein securing the first housingmember to the second housing member includes securing the first housingmember to the second housing member along an interface which isnon-perpendicular to an axis extending through the motor and thecollection chamber.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingsecuring a third housing member to the first and second housing membersalong an interface which is substantially perpendicular to the axisextending through the motor to at least partially define the collectionchamber.
 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing thethird housing member with an integral filter.
 24. The method of claim13, further comprising covering the collecting chamber with a thirdhousing member.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the third housingmember has a substantially domed configuration.
 26. The method of claim13, wherein the housing includes an upper portion and a lower portionremovably secured to the upper portion, wherein the first housing memberand the second housing member at least partially define the upperportion, and further comprising removably securing the lower portion tothe upper portion and removing the lower portion from the upper portionto remove debris from the collection chamber.
 27. The method of claim13, wherein securing the first housing member to the second housingmember includes non-removably securing the first housing member to thesecond housing member.
 28. A central vacuum connectable to an interiorportion of an inhabitable structure, the central vacuum systemcomprising: a housing at least partially defining a collection chamber;a vacuum motor supported by the housing and being operable to movedebris from the interior portion into the collection chamber; and anacoustic dampening system supported in the housing and positioned alongan exhaust flow path extending outwardly from the motor, the acousticdamping system including a damping member at least partially definingthree side walls of a dampening chamber.
 29. The central vacuum of claim28, wherein the exhaust flow path extends vertically into an opening inthe acoustic damping chamber.
 30. The central vacuum of claim 28,wherein the exhaust travels along the three side walls before exitingthe damping chamber.
 31. The central vacuum of claim 28, wherein thedamping member forms a base of the damping chamber.
 32. The centralvacuum of claim 28, wherein an underside of the damping member at leastpartially defines an air intake passage communicating between theinhabitable structure and the vacuum motor.
 33. A central vacuumconnectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure, thecentral vacuum system comprising: a housing having a housing member anda cover at least partially defining a collection chamber, the housingmember including a body and a rib extending inwardly from and around aperimeter of the body of the housing member, the cover including a bodyand a rib extending outwardly from and around a perimeter of the body ofthe cover, the rib of the housing member being secured to one of thebody and the rib of the cover and the rib of the cover being secured tothe body of the housing member; and a vacuum motor supported by thehousing and being operable to move debris from the interior portion intothe collection chamber.
 34. The central vacuum of claim 33, wherein therib of the cover extends outwardly from the body of the cover and isoriented at an acute angle with respect to a lower surface of the bodyof the cover.
 35. The central vacuum of claim 33, further comprising anadapter extending into the collection chamber for supporting a bag, atleast one of the bag and the adapter being accessible through an openingdefined in the housing member.
 36. The central vacuum of claim 33,wherein the housing member and the cover are formed from differentmaterials.
 37. The central vacuum of claim 33, wherein the housingmember is hotplate welded to the cover.
 38. The central vacuum of claim33, wherein the housing member is a first housing member, and whereinthe housing includes a second housing member secured to the firsthousing member and the cover to at least partially define the collectionchamber.
 39. The central vacuum of claim 38, wherein the first housingmember is secured to the second housing member along an interface whichis non-perpendicular to an axis extending through the motor and thecollection chamber.
 40. The central vacuum of claim 33, wherein thecover supports the vacuum motor adjacent to the collection chamber. 41.The central vacuum of claim 33, wherein the cover has a substantiallydomed configuration.
 42. The central vacuum of claim 33, wherein thecover includes an integral filter.
 43. The central vacuum of claim 33,wherein the housing includes an upper portion and a lower portionremovably secured to the upper portion, and wherein the housing memberand the cover at least partially define the upper portion.
 44. Thecentral vacuum of claim 33, wherein the rib of the housing member andthe rib of the cover at least partially define a channel extendingaround the perimeter of the body of the housing member, the channelhaving a generally triangular cross-sectional shape.